PROFILE
Pen Name / Name: Ciwaz
Social media profiles: Threads: @koko_shouldero, X: @koko_shouldero_

Favorite manga: Antique Bakery, A Silent Voice
Favorite movie:  Rain Man (1998)
Favorite quote: “Only you can depict your own world.”

Entry title: “Where Sad Becomes Sand”
Round: SMA Taiwan Round: “Smiles”
Award: Excellence Award

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“Understand the reason behind the silence and create a story that does not need words to be understood. ”

About SMA

How does it feel to receive a SILENT MANGA AUDITION® award?
I feel very honored. I did struggle a bit with imposter syndrome, but I am truly grateful for this opportunity. I once gave up drawing, so I joined SMA with the hope of creating something I would not regret. Receiving this recognition means a lot to me and is very encouraging.

What was the inspiration behind your awarded work?
It came from a funeral I once attended. Because I could not understand the language being spoken, the entire experience felt like a silent film to me.

What challenges did you face while making your manga? How did you overcome them?
Self-doubt was my biggest challenge. The story takes place within less than a minute, with no dialogue or internal monologue, so I ended up cutting many panels (about four pages worth).
Another challenge was expressing the theme of “smiles.” I kept questioning myself during the process, and at some point, I became so absorbed in the story that I could no longer smile.
Taking a break helped. I went outside to get some sunlight and treated myself to good food, and I gradually returned to a better state.

READ Ciwaz’s Awarded Work HERE!

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About Your Manga

How and when did you start making manga? What do you wish you knew as a beginner? What advice would you give to someone who wants to start drawing manga?
I discovered that drawing manga allows me to communicate with others, as well as with myself. I believe everyone is born with the ability to create a sequence of images that tell a story. So I encourage anyone who wants to try to just start drawing. Draw the world that belongs to you and only you.

Do you draw your manga digitally or by hand? What are your go-to digital or analogue tools?
I work digitally using Clip Studio Paint. I switch between an iPad and a drawing tablet depending on what feels more comfortable at the moment.

What was the first manga you picked up? Is it easy to access manga where you live?
The first manga I picked up was Fullmetal Alchemist. When I was a child, I lived in the mountains, so it was not easy to find manga. Now, with the internet, it’s much more accessible.



Which manga changed your life?
Rather than a single title, I feel that many manga have changed small parts of my life in different ways. Reading them makes me feel less alone, as if someone out there understands the feelings I couldn’t put into words.

Which manga character do you most identify with? Why?
Tomohiro Nagatsuka from A Silent Voice. He created something that connected the people around him, both for his own sake and for the sake of his friends.

What kind of manga do you want to make next?
Next time, I’d like to create a story where no one dies. In Taiwan, the manga scene has been growing and becoming more diverse. For commercial manga artists, it is important to constantly adapt to this diversity and to consider who their target audience is.


About You

What do you do when you’re not making manga? How do you relax?
I watch baseball and draw. In Taiwan, we often say, “Drawing is exhausting, so we rest by… drawing.”

What industry do you work in (if manga making isn’t your primary job)?
Supply chain management and logistics.

Where do you see your manga career in five years time?
I would love to see my work printed and sitting on a bookstore shelf someday.
But honestly, being able to continue drawing is already enough for me.

What manga making advice would you give to your younger self if you could?
Buy a decent chair.

What advice would you give to people entering the SILENT MANGA AUDITION®?
Since it’s manga without dialogue, I think it’s important to ask yourself why this story is “silent”. Understand the reason behind the silence and create a story that does not need words to be understood. For example, I chose to depict a funeral, where there was only a brief moment for a solitary expression. Even in the scene of meeting a dear friend within one’s heart, any spoken words would likely be drowned out by the sound of waves. I wanted to convey that feeling.

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Thank you, Ciwaz! We’re eagerly awaiting your next manga masterpiece!

The deadline to join SMA24 is May 10th. Enter for a chance to develop your potential as a manga creator with us in Japan!